Gelatin imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $11.3 million of gelatin in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 33% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $16.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11.3M | 1.6K t |
| 2023 | $16.7M | 1.9K t |
| 2022 | $14.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2021 | $11.0M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $10.4M | 1.8K t |
| 2019 | $8.3M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $10.0M | 2.0K t |
| 2017 | $9.2M | 1.8K t |
Where South Africa imports gelatin from
The largest suppliers were China (47%), Brazil (40%), Germany (6%).
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.90 per kg, close to the world average of $6.26.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Gelatin exports from South Africa
Exports of gelatin by South Africa reached $5.6 million in 2024 (784 tonnes). Australia alone took 60% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Ghana grew fastest (+364% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $3.3M | 60% |
| Thailand | $933K | 17% |
| Ghana | $470K | 8.5% |
| Singapore | $275K | 5% |
| Namibia | $206K | 3.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $136K | 2.4% |
| United States | $77K | 1.4% |
| Zambia | $31K | 0.6% |
| Mozambique | $27K | 0.5% |
| Malawi | $26K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3503: Gelatin (including gelatin in rectangular sheets, whether or not surface-worked or coloured) and gelatin derivatives; isinglass; other glues of animal origin, excluding casein glues of heading no. 3501.
Common questions
What is the value of gelatin imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported gelatin worth $11.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 200 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 33% on 2023.
Which countries supply gelatin to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($5.3 million), followed by Brazil (40%) and Germany (6%). The top three together account for 93%, out of 22 supplier countries in total. Egypt grew fastest among the top ten, up 58% on the year.
What is the average import price of gelatin per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.90 per kg in 2024, 10% above the world average of $6.26 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of gelatin to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $9.2 million in 2017 to $11.3 million in 2024, an increase of 23%. The peak was 2023 at $16.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export gelatin?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Australia, Thailand and Ghana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for gelatin?
The HS code for gelatin is heading 3503. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 3503.00. It sits in HS chapter 35 (albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3503 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.